Today if we turn to CNN, Fox News, Yahoo or Reuters, those are three headlines we will never read. And, if we did, they would only be news because of the absurd unlikeliness of the headline being true.

Last night some friends gathered and shared their stories. Our friends Kyle, Emma and Ellie stepped forward, up from the darkened rows of their seats and into the spotlight. In the glow of the stage lights surrounded by friends, fans and flawed people like them they spoke.

Did the Royals give up? No. Did they muscle-up and power their way to victory? No, that was unlikely. According to ESPN.com they had the least home runs in all of baseball. What they could do was run. The Royals had the most stolen bases in MLB.

Throughout As Silver Refined, Kay Arthur challenges readers to prepare for life inevitable challenges.

“I WAS A FAILURE. I was convinced of it. I had failed God, and there was nothing I could do about it. I was impotent to change my circumstances. Disappointment overwhelmed me.” That kind of humility makes this book very approachable. I wish that there were more heart-connecting stories.

Recently my friends and I played volleyball. It was a fun and competitive series of games.

Later that month I gathered many of the same late-night friends for another series of games. Even though it was after midnight I had the same expectations as the previous evening: I was looking forward to the same fun, competitive games.

We lost the first closely contested game. We dominated the second game as their team laughed and clowned around as they played sometimes sloppily. I prefer to win, but I actually felt sorry for one of their teammates who was evidently annoyed.

(They’re) going to let us down. The best of them will make mistakes; all of them will die.

We must be thankful to all the people who have helped us, we must honour them and love them. But never, never pin your whole faith on any human being: not if he is the best and wisest in the whole world.

There are lots of nice things you can do with sand; but do not try building a house on it.”

Each week at TreeHouse we remind the teens about three needs which are common among people:
– We all need to be reminded that we’re lovable, capable & worthwhile.
– We need to know that we’re loved unconditionally — “without strings.”
– We need to know that we’re not alone.